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Religion and Spirituality Across Cultures pp 303–318Cite as

Religion and Forgiveness of Others

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Part of the book series: Cross-Cultural Advancements in Positive Psychology ((CAPP,volume 9))

Abstract

This chapter examines the role of religion in forgiving others. We begin by briefly discussing the conceptualization and practice of forgiveness within Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam) and Buddhism. This is followed by an overview of empirical studies on how forgiveness relates to religiosity, prayer, meditation, sanctification, and congregational support. Studies on the effectiveness of religiously based forgiveness group interventions are highlighted. We also review outcome studies on interventions designed to enhance forgiveness in religious communities. Implications for clinicians and researchers working with people who are trying to forgive others are discussed.

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Acknowledgments

Special thanks to Allison Markiewicz, Karen Rothman, Molly Duffy, Samatha Fassak, Anna Hall, Ariel Branden, and Xin He for providing helpful suggestions on an earlier draft of this chapter.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Skidmore College, 815 N. Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, USA

    Mark S. Rye & Cara F. McCabe

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  1. Mark S. Rye
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  2. Cara F. McCabe
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Correspondence to Mark S. Rye .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, The College of New Jersey, Ewing, New Jersey, USA

    Chu Kim-Prieto

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Rye, M.S., McCabe, C.F. (2014). Religion and Forgiveness of Others. In: Kim-Prieto, C. (eds) Religion and Spirituality Across Cultures. Cross-Cultural Advancements in Positive Psychology, vol 9. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-8950-9_16

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